Here’s 8 Men’s Watch Style Tips For People Who Watch Out For Fashion

man with watch

There’s an old stereotype that fashion is something women worry about, not men. In the past few years, though, more and more people are recognizing how important it is for a man to look stylish and confident too.

As every dapper man knows, your wardrobe isn’t the only way to show your style. For a truly great look, you need to know how to accessorize. A watch can be the perfect way for any man to add a touch of class and style to his outfit of the day.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to wear your watch. To pick the perfect watch for every outfit, check out these men’s watch style tips.

Men’s Watch Style Tips

As much as the right watch can help an outfit, the wrong one can hurt it. These tips will keep you on track.

1. Match Your Watch Face to the Sky

This is more of a metaphor. We aren’t saying that your daytime watches should have sky blue faces.

During the daytime, opt for watches with light colored faces like white or tan. These have a brighter, more casual feel.

At night, swap out that light watch for one with a darker face like black or charcoal gray. These watches have a more formal, sophisticated look. They’re also less stark and awkward against the night sky.

2. Stick to the Right Size

As you shop for watches, you’ll see countless options for watch face diameters. How do you know which one will be the most flattering for you?

The general rule of thumb is that your watch face’s diameter should be about 2/3 the size of your wrist.

Lay down your arm so that your forearm, wrist, and hand make a straight line. Measure across the top of your wrist. Take that measurement and multiply it by 2/3 to see what watch face diameter you should aim for.

This isn’t an exact science but it can help you get an estimate. A watch face that’s too larger or too small will make your wrist look disproportioned and awkward.

3. Know When a Dive Watch is Appropriate

Dive watches have a distinct look that works great for casual days. They’re perfect if you’re spending the day hiking or hanging out at the park.

However, they’re not good choices for suits or other types of business wear. They’re bulky enough that your suit jacket or button-down sleeves won’t lay well. They also have too casual of a look for these styles.

4. Match Your Leathers

A leather band is one of the most classic features of men’s watches. They can look casual or formal and they’re often more comfortable than metal bands.

You need to make sure they coordinate with your outfit, though. If you wear black shoes and a black belt, your leather watch should have a black band too. 

5. Don’t Go Overboard

Accessorizing is all about complementing an outfit, not making it look completely different.

As you style your watch, remember that it should never be the most prominent part of an ensemble. One way to follow that rule is to avoid watches that are overly ornate or flashy. Gemstones are great, but there’s a limit.

It also means that the colors in your watch should fit in with your outfit rather than standing out. It’s not a good idea to pair dark jeans and a black shirt with a starkly white watch.

6. Some Formal Events Don’t Go with Watches

If you have a formal event coming up, take a look at the dress code.

While it’s been debated in the past, today it’s acceptable to wear a watch with black tie attire. Make sure it’s a subtle, simple dress watch that doesn’t misalign your jacket sleeves. A dark watch face is always best for these formal events.

White tie events, on the other hand, are different. This is more formal than black tie attire, and you should not wear a watch if the dress code is white tie.

7. Match Your Metals

We mentioned above that when you watch has a leather band, you should match that leather to your shoes and belt. There’s a similar rule for the jewelry and metals you wear.

For an outfit to look cohesive, you want all your metals to match. If you’re wearing a tie clip and cuff links that are silver or white gold, your watch should have a similar metal. The same goes for your belt buckle.

This rule doesn’t necessarily include a wedding ring because you can’t change the color of your wedding band. However, more and more men are opting for alternatives like black tungsten or wood for their rings because they coordinate with more outfits.

What about watches that have multiple metal colors, you may ask? These watches can go with any of the metal colors they include so they’re more versatile.

8. Put Your Personality Into Your Watch

While every fashion item has guidelines and traditions, don’t forget that your style is a reflection of you. The rules above can help you look your best, but it’s still important to choose the watches that you like best and those that suit your look.

You can even look for watches that represent your interests. For instance, the Tag Heuer Carrera line of watches was designed to embody and commemorate auto racing. Wood watches are great for nature enthusiasts or men who enjoy carpentry.

Taste + Tradition = Great Style

When it comes down to it, the goal of fashion is to allow you to express who you are and to feel confident in the way you look.

The men’s watch style tips above can help you guide your wardrobe. However, you can’t underestimate the importance of choosing watches are feel like you. Combining your personal tastes with the rules of designing outfits will help you look your best while displaying your sense of self with pride.

For more fashion tips, check out our blogs about logo t-shirts and more.

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